Victorian sheep farmer Ian Feldtmann was appointed president of the Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group at its annual conference in Bendigo yesterday.

Mr Feldtmann is a former president of the Sheepmeat Council of Australia and was the Livestock Group Vice President under outgoing president Chris Nixon. He has been an active VFF member for 30 years.

“It is an honour to be able to step up and lead the Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group. I look forward to bringing experience, knowledge and strong industry networks to my new role,” Mr Feldtmann said in a VFF press release announcing his appointment.

“I believe we have a great team in the VFF Livestock Group. Victorian livestock producers are among the best in the world and we must provide solid leadership that can continue to strengthen, protect and promote our industry.”

He is also the current chairman of the National Livestock Identification System Sheep and Goat management committee, is on the Federal Government’s National Rural Advisory Council and is a former chair of the National Farmers Federation Trade Committee.

Mr Feldtmann runs a 680ha dryland property near Dookie in northern Victoria, where he runs a large merino flock and grows cereal grains and canola.